Programmable substrate transport for electronic assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic assembly of electronic components and, in particular, relates to a programmable substrate transport mechanism for conveying variously sized substrates to a robotic electronic component assembly machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for the assembly of electronic components to a plurality of substrates each having differing sizes and shapes comprising: (A) a first assembly module having: a first assembly station to which substrates are directed and at which electronic components are assembled to them;   a first conveyor for directing substrates to and from said first assembly station; and   programmable means for positioning a component to be assembled with respect to substrates located at said first assembly station;     (B) a second assembly module in abutting relationship with respect to said first assembly module and cooperatively engaged with respect thereto having: a second assembly station to which substrates are directed and at which said electronic components are assembled to them;   a second conveyor aligned with the first conveyor of said first assembly module for directing substrates from said first assembly module to and from said second assembly station; and   programmable means for positioning a component to be assembled with respect to said substrate located at said second assembly station; and     (C) control means for adjusting said first and said second conveyors in accordance with the predetermined width of each substrate wherein said first and said second assembly modules may be utilized for simultaneously assembling components to substrates of differing widths.   
     
     
       2. The assembly apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and said second assembly modules each comprise: a table means having an upper surface, said assembly stations being at a fixed position relative to said surface.   
     
     
       3. The assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein said programmable means for positioning comprises: a carriage means; and   an end effector coupled to said carriage means, said carriage means grossly positioning said components with respect to said substrate and said end effector means precisely positioning said components with respect to said substrate.   
     
     
       4. The assembly apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said first and said second conveyors further comprise: a first and a second movable belt, the paths of said movable belts being parallel to each other; and   means for automatically varying the distance between said belts in accordance with the predetermined width of each substrate.   
     
     
       5. The assembly apparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said first and said second conveyors further comprises: a first rail and a second rail, said first and said second movable belts being respectively mounted thereon, said second rail being movable with respect to said first rail to accommodate substrates of varying width.   
     
     
       6. An apparatus for the assembly of electronic components to a plurality of substrates, each having a different size and shape comprising: a first assembly module having: a first and second movable belt traveling in paths parallel to each other for directing substrates to and from a first assembly station;   means for adjusting the distance between said paths in accordance with the predetermined width of each substrate to which said components are to be assembled; and     a second assembly module in abutting relationship with respect to said first assembly module and cooperatively engaged with respect thereto having: a second and third movable belt traveling in paths parallel to each other for directing substrates to and from a second assembly station;   means for adjusting the distance between the paths of said third and fourth belts in accordance with the predetermined width of each substrate to which components are to be assembled; and     common control means for controlling the speed of said belts and both of said adjusting means in response to said predetermined width.   
     
     
       7. The assembly apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: stop means at each of said assembly stations responsive to said control means for precisely locating substrates at said assembly stations.   
     
     
       8. The assembly apparatus of claim 7 wherein said stop means further comprises: lifting means movable from a position below the paths of said belts and out of the path of said substrates to and from said assembly stations to a position above the path of said belts and into the path of said substrates to and from said assembly stations whereby said substrates may be stopped at said assembly stations or advanced beyond them depending upon the relative position of said lifting means.   
     
     
       9. The assembly apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said means for adjusting further comprises: a first rail supporting one of said belts; and   second rail supporting another of said belts, said second rail being movable with respect to said first rail.   
     
     
       10. The assembly apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said assembly modules includes a table means and wherein said first and said second rails are supported on an upper surface thereof. 
     
     
       11. The assembly apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of said means for adjusting further comprises: drive means beneath said upper surface and coupled to said another rail, said drive means being responsive to said control means; and   means for deactivating said drive means whenever the distance between said path substantially equals the width of said substrate.